Passing the Torch: Boston Firemen, "Tea Party" Patriots, and the Burning of the Charlestown Convent
2004; University of Pennsylvania Press; Volume: 24; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
1553-0620
Autores Tópico(s)American History and Culture
ResumoA small boy came to light torch,the boy could lit [sic] reach& Mr Roulstone said here little boy,I'll light it for you, & did, & boy took it away.1-Testimony of John P. Clark, Clerk of Fire AssociationOn afternoon of June 21, 1832, men of Boston Company No. 1.3, previously known Rapid Fire Association, gathered proudly at their station house on Leverett Street, in northwestern section of city. That day they would Anally receive new, modern suction engine to replace their old apparatus. In anticipation, firemen had made other changes well: they adopted new constitution, took new motto (The Enemy We Conquer), named their new engine Melvill, and renamed themselves Melvill Fire Association. Those last two changes were made in honor of Major Thomas Melvill, longtime firefighter, veteran of American Revolution, and, of 1832, one of last surviving participants in Boston Tea Party. Melvill, who still wore eighteenth-century fashions into 1830s, was widely known the last of cocked hats and had been condescendingly sketched tottering relic of revolutionary era in one of Oliver Wendell Holmes's most popular poems. tribute now paid him by firemen of No. 13 was, no doubt, much more to Melvill's liking.2After assembling at their engine house, members of company marched together to Melvill's home, where they formed circle outside his door. There company's young treasurer, George S. F. Roulstone (a comb dealer by trade), addressed old warrior. As just tribute of proper respect to an aged veteran in fire of battle and as children of your patriotism in older time, Roulstone proclaimed, men of No. 13 would be proud to present him with their new engine: Melvill. That evening, members of No. 13 escorted and several other honored guests, including Boston's chief engineer, Thomas Amory, back to their engine house, where all sat down to splendid banquet ornamented with various emblems in Melvill's honor. enginemen placed before him pie and roll of bread that had both been marked with date signifying Melvill's first year of service Boston fireward-a local official charged with supervising town's volunteer firemen. table was also adorned with silver pitcher presented to upon his resignation of that post in 1825. Dominating room, in front window, was huge transparency showing five-foot-high figure of Melvill, holding his fireward's staff in one hand and scroll of fire department documents, dated 1779, in other. In background of that portrait was a vision of Boston harbour and large Ship lying at anchor, representing Boston Tea Party.3As enginemen and their guests passed Melvill's commemorative pitcher from lip to lip, each man proposed toast. company foreman began simply: Melvill and its motto. Enemy We Conquer. A former captain referred obliquely to past discord: The new Melvill. its men live & work together in harmony & friendship, may we never see these walls suffer what they have suffered in past. Others offered exhortations to good behavior: Engine 13. its members so conduct themselves to never be ashamed. Similarly, Roulstone urged his fellows: Act well your part, there all Honour lies. Roulstone's father, Colonel Michael Roulstone, well-to-do glazier and veteran of Boston Fire Department, added: May Company be ready to obey commands of their Chief Engineer he was to accept their invitation this Evening. Later came several sentiments of more general nature, treating politics and public affairs. One praised Theodore Lyman, city's Jacksonian mayor. Another, less provincial, welcomed the Poles and persecuted of all nations to our Land and to our freedom. …
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